Building Control Officer / Inspector
The Work
Building control officers or building inspectors, sometimes known
as building control surveyors, work in construction planning and inspection
in both the public and private sectors. Officers work with building
designers, architects and contractors to ensure that new building
construction or alterations to existing buildings conform to building
regulations before planning permission is sought. If planning permission
is granted, officers continue to work with all parties to safeguard
continued compliance. Projects can range from relatively small housing
extensions through to large city centre redevelopment.
Officers need an in-depth knowledge of regulations covering public health, fire safety, security, construction technology and energy conservation, building accessibility issues and other environmental issues.
As well as comprehensive technical knowledge, officers need an appreciation of the implications their decisions can have on contractors' time and costs. Good communication and negotiating skills are essential.
Some of the main duties include:
If, during the course of the construction, the building control officer decides the building no longer conforms to the regulations, they can instigate legal proceedings to redress the situation.
Building control officers working for local authorities also approve demolitions and carry out surveys of potentially dangerous buildings that may have been damaged by fire or adverse weather conditions. Other responsibilities may include administering entertainment licences, safety at sports grounds and other open-air events, and cinema and theatre inspections.
Hours and Conditions
Building control officers work normal office hours, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some officers will be on 24-hour call-out in case the emergency services need their expertise to inspect an unstable building. Flexi-time and job-sharing may be available.
Time is split between the office and on-site visits. Inspections take place in all weather conditions and safety equipment should be worn. A good head for heights will be required as the work can involve working off scaffolding or ladders.
Due to site visits, a driving licence is normally required.
Skills and Interests
To be a building control officer, you should:
Training
Depending on your qualifications and experience, you normally undertake
on-the-job training with day or block release and work towards one
of the qualifications mentioned above. The NVQ / SVQ Level 4 in Building
Control is also available through the Association of Building Engineers
(ABE).
Most officers take the professional exams of either the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) or the ABE. After passing written exams, candidates are assessed to evaluate their professional competence.
The professional bodies also run seminars and training courses, and distance learning options may also be available. See contacts below for further details.
Opportunities
Local authorities are the major employers of building control officers but there are also opportunities in the private sector, within government-appointed inspection bodies. There are possibilities for self-employment, consultancy work and to specialise in areas such as the fire safety of buildings or sports stadium safety.
Promotion in local authorities is linked to qualifications and experience, and there are opportunities to move into technical or planning roles in other departments.
Salary
The figures below are intended as a guideline only.
Salaries vary depending on the size of the local authority or private company, ranging from £20,000 to £27,000 a year.
Further Information
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Association of Building Engineers
Tel: 0845 126 1058
www.abe.org.uk
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Tel: 0870 333 1600
www.rics.org.uk
LG Careers
Tel: 020 7296 6503
www.lgcareers.com
Chartered Institute of Building
Tel: 01344 630700
www.ciob.org.uk
